I attended the first conference as a participant, but I've aged out so I no longer participate. In the last few years, I've kept up with the group because I believe in its mission.

This community needs to continue supporting any initiative designed to keep young people in the area.

At the conference, participants heard from 40 Below Chairman Dominic Robinson, who pointed to the many reasons he thinks there is a "burgeoning renaissance taking place in Syracuse -- buildings are being built, public art is popping up everywhere, people are getting involved in their neighborhoods and making them stronger."